Nucleic Acid Aptamers: Emerging Applications in Medical Imaging, Nanotechnology, Neurosciences, and Drug Delivery

Recent progresses in organic chemistry and molecular biology have allowed the emergence of numerous new applications of nucleic acids that markedly deviate from their natural functions. Particularly, DNA and RNA molecules-coined aptamers-can be brought to bind to specific targets with high affinity...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2017-11, Vol.18 (11), p.2430
Main Authors: Röthlisberger, Pascal, Gasse, Cécile, Hollenstein, Marcel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Aptamers
Aptamers, Nucleotide - chemistry
Aptamers, Nucleotide - pharmacokinetics
Biosensing Techniques - methods
Biosensors
Biotechnology
Chemical Sciences
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Diagnostic agents
Diagnostic software
Diagnostic systems
DNA
Drug delivery
Drug delivery systems
Drug Delivery Systems - methods
Humans
Magnetic resonance imaging
Medical imaging
Molecular biology
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology - methods
Neuroprotective Agents - administration & dosage
Neurosciences
Nucleic acids
Organic chemistry
Positron emission
Positron emission tomography
Proteomics
Review
Selectivity
SELEX Aptamer Technique - methods
Tomography
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Summary:Recent progresses in organic chemistry and molecular biology have allowed the emergence of numerous new applications of nucleic acids that markedly deviate from their natural functions. Particularly, DNA and RNA molecules-coined aptamers-can be brought to bind to specific targets with high affinity and selectivity. While aptamers are mainly applied as biosensors, diagnostic agents, tools in proteomics and biotechnology, and as targeted therapeutics, these chemical antibodies slowly begin to be used in other fields. Herein, we review recent progress on the use of aptamers in the construction of smart DNA origami objects and MRI and PET imaging agents. We also describe advances in the use of aptamers in the field of neurosciences (with a particular emphasis on the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases) and as drug delivery systems. Lastly, the use of chemical modifications, modified nucleoside triphosphate particularly, to enhance the binding and stability of aptamers is highlighted.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms18112430